Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions • Hacker News Board

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#891

Post by 3poundkilograms » Tue, Nov 22, 2016, 11:55 AM UTC

Unklejoe wrote: post #707

3poundkilograms wrote: post #513

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"We’ve combined the best attributes of conventional automatic, continuously variable and dual clutch transmissions. The transmission locks up to couple directly with the engine over a far wider range than other automatics. This delivers a significant improvement in fuel economy and a more direct, manual-like power delivery and driving feel. Shifts are quick, accurate and smooth across the six speeds." So, as they men…

It locks up after 8 mph probably because if it locked up at any lower of a speed, the engine would be too close to stalling. Also, the ZF 6HPxx (and newer) transmissions behave the same way. My 2011 335i will lock up in first gear (probably around 10 mph, but it depends on the load). This transmission has been used by BMW since at least 2006. A derivative of it is also used in the Ford Mustang now.

I should try a car with one of those transmissions, then. They sound quite interesting. While I have driven quite a lot of cars, I have never dealt with such a transmission, but it sounds both nice and efficient. How's the comfort tradeoff? I believe the lock-up was initially avoided due to comfort, as people liked the "gooey" transition between gears.

I'll keep that transmission in mind next time I go shopping.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#892

Post by cswilly » Tue, Nov 22, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

jbob2000 wrote: post #476

bitL wrote: post #339

I never understood how to use automatic transmission in snowy/icy conditions. To me it's basically a lottery. With manual transmission and clutch I can actually recover from a slide almost immediately (the moment you start sliding you disengage transmission right away with clutch and do initial correcting maneuver which you cut short the moment you feel any kind of traction in order not to oversteer; it takes some pr…

Automatics have traction control. The computer that operates the traction control is much faster at taking power from the wheels than a human using a clutch.

Manual have traction control too.

Re: Fewer than 3% of cars sold in the U.S. have manual transmissions

#893

Post by rubberstamp » Sat, Nov 26, 2016, 4:00 AM UTC

dvtv75 wrote: post #848

hx87 wrote: post #603

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your engine is designed to withstand fuel-air explosions. When engine braking, all it does is compress and expand air, at much lower pressures, so revolutions during engine braking are easier on your car than those during regular driving. Clutches get less wear during engine braking because it doesn't slip. When you disengage and reengage the clutch because you're using the regular brakes to slow down, the clutch sli…

> Clutches get less wear during engine braking because it doesn't slip. When you disengage and reengage the clutch because > you're using the regular brakes to slow down, the clutch slips and damages itself. And when you have to change down, while engine braking? (I have an odd learning style. Please don't mistake this for "You're wrong because..." It's a case of "I don't understand why, so...") A friend once told me…

Drive with clutch disengaged. Use clutch only while you quickly shift into an appropriate gear. The longest I use clutch is when I am starting of from a stop in first gear. Once I have momentum, dip clutch fully and shift and release clutch as soon as gear us shifted. When clutch is half pressed, clutch plate gets highest wearing as plates are half pressed against each other, not enough friction is there to stop clutch disc slipping (as it is while clutch is not engaged) against each other thus causing wear. When clutch is fully pressed, the clutch plates are seperated so they dont rub against each other and wear.

The way I shift is as I approach a downhill I keep driving it in gear rather than coast. If its steep downhill, you can brake ahead to lower your speed to something you are comfortable at. Shift down to the gear for that speed and then back off the gas if you need engine braking. You can use brake in combination with engine braking gear if you needs to slow down more than using engine braking alone. I shift down when speed gets lower than in current gear.